We must re-orient the opportunities for our youths

May 22, 2009 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I refer to an article in the Kaieteur News captioned, “GPHC overwhelmed by suicide” in the May 13 edition.
This is not new information; our youths have been killing themselves prematurely for years now in an unsustainable manner either by becoming criminals or taking their own lives and it is mainly as a result of their hopelessness. Why hopelessness?  There are not enough viable options and opportunities for the youths of Guyana and we are all to blame for this as we squander our time focused on micro managing rather that on the big-ticket items.
The powerful has a responsibility to do something about this crisis because failure to act can result in a proletariat revolution that guns cannot suppress. Yet, the majority of those whom can be called the “powers that be” (political, business and religious leaders) are still not focused on this crisis as they continue to facilitate an inequitable distribution of the nation’s wealth.
In the past, I alluded to hopelessness as one of the conditions that allowed the ‘Fine Man’ gang to easily recruit some youth into demonic activities and those who pretend to be knowledgeable, made a different case in an immature attempt to cover up their shortcomings.  The reality is that the blood letting in the nation continues either through suicide or death at the hands of the criminals; snuffing out valuable lives prematurely.  A nation is as strong as its youths and I am very concerned for Guyana since we are losing too many youths unnecessarily and something must be done.  This should not be the legacy that any of us would want to be remembered by, so it is our national duty to do something and do it now.
When most of my foreparents travelled as “Jahaj-bhais” (ship-brothers) to Guyana, many moon ago, they left hopeless oppressive situations behind that were created by customs and men.  They had a clear choice – surrender to slave like conditions as a result of an unfair system that facilitated loan sharks in charging uneconomical interest rate that condemned them to perpetual poverty, or give up their land and take a chance in the new world with that hope that they will earn enough to change their lives for the better. Some quiet resolved themselves, never to return to India, since they firmly believed that the almighty will provide a better way of life for them in the New World.
There is nothing better in life than hope.  They jumped on that ship with hope in their blood and yes they have done well for themselves – Cheddi Jagan, Yesu Persaud and Swami Aksharnandan are testament to that journey.
The essence of this letter is to question myself and others as to why are we here with all this crime, suicide and violence in Guyana.  I may not have all the answer but I am convinced that some of the basics are being conveniently ignored by the “power that be” to their own detriment.
Guyana must start that process of returning to the hopeful day of the dawn of the new era (1992-1997), when every citizen were convinced that they had power over their lives, their character, the very soul of their being.  I am convinced that today, we have lost our core values as a nation and some thing must be done so I humbly recommend the following:
1. Restructure the TV industry – There must be both free national TV stations and paying cable channels that can be a source of revenue for the state. The free TV station should only be allowed to show licensed products like locally produced shows, religious programmes, international news, educational programmes, national events, licensed movies and children friendly programmes.
All sitcom and other programmes that are alien to our culture and value structure should be migrated to the cable channels where those who want to enjoy, have a choice of paying for these services from which the Government gets its cut of taxes. Sitcoms like “Young & the Restless” create an expectation in our young minds that are just not real and easily achievable in Guyana so why frustrate people and drive them to crime to get quick money or suicide to exit this life prematurely?
2. Clearly manage people’s expectation – The Government should produce documentaries on the crisis in New York on how our people are losing their jobs and their standard of living.  It would be a benefit to the society if one of our TV personalities could turn up in Richmond Hill and have a “what the people say” programme on how Guyanese are coping with the challenges.  The GRA should announce the barrel trade stats and the BOG the money transfer stats over the last two years, to wake up the people to the reality of what is happening.
The reality of the next barrel or that US$ transfer to tide the family over is quickly drying up and we have to get accustomed to this fact as people continue to lose their jobs by the hundreds of thousand on a monthly basis in the developed world.
The reality is that many Guyanese in New York have to switch on to three part time jobs to maintain their unsustainable life style that they have fashioned for
themselves. But that is their democratic choice but as the pressure increase, guess which expenses will be cut first?  Would they defer paying the monthly mortgage on the family home, or would they just not go down to West Union to make that money transfer to Guyana?  Pick sense from nonsense my people.
3. We have to re-orient the opportunities for our youths – more programmes must be developed country-wide for youths so that they can be gainfully occupied, while at the same time securing a life skill.  That is why I thought the idea of killing the GNS was a sub-optimal one.  Can you imaging the youths from Cane Grove or Canal coming together at Essequibo Technical Institute on a 3-6 month programme that teaches them our national history, geography, maths, skills at discipline, some moral values, skill of scientifically understanding proper agronomical practices in the art of cash crop farming, skills in managing their farm as a business, skills in networking and marketing of their produce and how to negotiate with the middle-man to get the best value for money?
During their training, they are allowed to observe what other cash crop farmers are doing. Upon completion of their training, they are provided with a plot of land to implement their skills, they are provided with the first set of inputs into the project such as the fertiliser, the seeds etc. and they are connected with buyers.
After their first crop, they will be cut loose from the programmes, but will be called upon to share their skills with new recruits.
This is not a dream, this can become a national reality and it can be replicated to other grouping of youths in other skill sets.  We have to refocus more of our youths by getting them to join the export driven part of the economy rather than idling on the street corners waiting on that “small piece” coming from New York.
When someone has made their mind to go to crime or to commit suicide, there is nothing anyone can do to stop them, but empirical evidence has revealed that people of that nature are very few. We human beings like to live and love and share and take care of ourselves and others; that is our nature. By nature we are not criminals or suicide psychopaths.
The imminent danger is that a significant segment of the society is being pushed to crime and suicide because our moral foundation is corrupt (most of the religious and political leadership have failed us here), our concept of a proper life is inaccurate (the vision that the “Young and Restless” portray the American way of life is furthest from the truth) and our value structure is in confusion (we are not saving enough, we are not enjoying every day life in moderation, since we are stressed out over why we cannot buy the latest model cell phone that cost 80 grand).
We all have to find our own rhythm in dealing with our issues and people will try and fail but try again and believe you me, your “rhythm is going to get you” because the divine is looking over you.
Deoki from Benares in India did not jump on that ship or Odinga from Kibera in present day Nigeria was not forced on that ship without any hope.  They had hope.  Hope must breed hope not hopelessness. Wake up Guyana, repair yourself.
Sasenarine Singh

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